The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-06-02

grew up between Ruth and her old school
mate, Sallie Morris. 1t seemed as if they
must always be together-Sallie spending
| nights with Ruth and Ruth with Sallie.
What do those girls find 50 much to talk
about!" inquired the captain Of his wife
one evening, as he saw them parting reluc-
family.
"O," said his wife, her little deprecating
smile lighting her face Cor an instant, "girls
can always find enough to talk about, an
they do say DIR. Hargrave's waitin' on Sal
lie, an he an Bob are great friends you
know
"Weu," said the captain approvingly,
"Doc's good match for Sallie, but Bob In-
grams worth a dozen OF him. / should
think Ruth'd despise fellow as easy car
ried on as he was"
Mrs. Stearns said nothing In her heart
she had hoped Ruth would marry the doc
tor, but she never spoke to her daughter on
the subject, and if Ruth noticed that her
mothers Pickering smile grew less fire.
quent she said nothing only grew kinder
than ever in her manner toward her.
And now summer was almost done, and
the time for the sll-important event Of the
year in the neighborhood, the csmp-meet-
ing, drew near.
Although, as stated, the captain was not
church-member, no one more thoroughly
enjoyed these gatherings than he, and no
one made more ample preparations for en-
tertaining friends and strangers This year
he was interested, it seemed, more than
usual; and when, one day in August, Sallie
Morris. who had become a favorite Of his,
drew him aside one evening and told Kim,
as great secret, that she was going to be
married during the meeting, and on the
camp grounds, and that she wanted Ruth
to be married at the same time, he was de-
lighted.
Just think, captain" she went on, rap
idly, not giving him a chance to speak,
show nice it would be. We are enough
alike to be sisters, only Ruth is the slim
NEST and has no freckles. And we would
dress alike, and Doc and Bob think it's
splendid plan"
"Well," he answered, you and the doctor
seem to have matters fixed, but 1 dunno
bout Bob and Ruth. They've not con-
suited me. However, if it suits them it
does me.''
Sallie laughed gaily.
'Don't you want a kiss, captainl" she
said, holding up her pretty face.
He laughed as he took the offered kiss;
and she ran away, telling him not to tell
anybody about it, as Mrs. Stearns might be
jealous.
A day or two afterwards Mr.. Bob In
grams buggy stood at the captains gate,
while On the porch the captain was again
being interviewed. Bob's usual ready elo-
quence had deserted him in this hour of
need, and the captain really seemed to enjoy
his embarrassment. At last he stammered
c0r 18th
Rutland Doc and Ruth-no, Sallie-and
the camp-meeting and his new house and
his corn crop, and finally said, had ''the
captain any objections to Ruth's marrying
good sort Of fellow that just worshiped
her."
This last sentence came clear and en-
phatic, and the captain at once sheok hands
with him, and invited him to the house, say
ing:
Ruth is good girl, Bob; she'll make a
good wife"
''Yes, sir, know it, said Bob, who had
recovered his equanimity, ''but 1 must be
off / am in a hurry this morning. Tell
Ruth I'll be over Sunday
And Bob sprang into his buggy and drove
of rapidly.
Laughing heartily, the captain entered
the room in which his wife sat sewing, and
coolly informed her that her daughter and
Bob Ingram would be married the second
Sunday in September, and it behooved her
to get ready for the wedding.
A few minutes later, Ruth, coming in,
found her mother crying
80 RUTH" she sobbed, show can give |
you up!"
Three weeks later, beautiful Septem- |
oer morning found the captain and his fam
lly arranging their quarters on the CAMP
ground in Elder creek. The scene was ono |
Of pleasant hustle and confusion. The rude |
board tenements, which were fixtures on |
the grounds" were being prepared for |
tenancy by their owners; while, all around, |
white tents were being spread, stoves, in
most cases, being put up behind them un-
Ter arbors built with forked saplings and
branches of trees; wagons were being
lriven into convenient places; horses being
Jared for; and everywhere, running hither
Ind thither in everybodys way, and vet
n nobedy's way, were children of all ages,
lown to the wee t6ddler scarcely able to
Keep itself erect on its little feet.
But at ten O'Clock, when the bell sounded
he hour for preaching" silence fell.
Quietly, in groups or singly, as it chanced,
he people, old and young, gathered in the
,ircle around which the tents were placed.
md at one portion of which-in front of
What was known as the preachers tentn
"a platform had been erected, rooted with
,reen boughs.
AS soon as the throng were seated on the
ude benches, avenerable minister appeared
N the stand, and the meeting was opened
n due form. After q brief sermon, followed
y much exhorting, singing and praying,
he people were dismissed, to come together
1.-TWO O'Clock for afternoon service.
And now the captain began to enjoy him
elf. How he hunted up old friends, and
ow glad they were to meet. What count .
ess handshakings there were, for every
ody was rejoiced to meet every body, it
eemed that there was little time given to ]
inner that first day. After the novelty is
ast, and friends have exchanged greeting,
ou will see the good danes bestirring
themselves to fill their tables with choice ,
pod, each bent on 'settin' the best table, |
n feedin' the most folks" I
But ah what pen can do justice to an old
me camp-meeting, when, for brief period,
ne toll and hardships of pioneer life were (
and, gathering as one family !
round common altar, our fathers and
lothers made the ''groves, Gods first tenn
le," resound with notes of prayer and {
raise! 8
You may be sure gentle Mrs. Stearns met
lany friends, and that her bountiful table {
as daily surrounded by those who did
mple justice to her daintily prepared food. T
nth fitted here and there, now assisting /
er mother, now slipping away to chat with
allie Morris, whose father, being class
ader, had large, commodious tent
Neither Dr. H8rprava nor Roh ingram | C
ade their appearance until Saturday even C
lg, and many were the captains jests h
bout the recreants whenever he encoun- !.